_To Mr. H―――― H――――._
_Cambuslang, Aug. 26, 1742._
_My very dear Brother_,
GLAD was I last night to receive a letter from your hands. I love your
simple honest heart, and earnestly pray the dear Redeemer to give you
a true, lasting, abiding rest in himself. Blessed be his name, I think
I can say, through free grace, that I am in a measure entered into it,
and know what it is by happy experience, to pass from glory to glory
every day. My dear brother, I am opposed on every side; the archers
shoot sore at me that I may fall, but the LORD is my helper. He causes
my bow to abide in strength, and makes me more than conqueror through
his love. The account sent with this, will shew you how often I
have been enabled to preach; but with what efficacy and success, pen
cannot describe. The glorious Redeemer seems to be advancing from
congregation to congregation, carrying all before him. The Messrs.
_E――――_’s people have kept a fast for me, and give out, that all
the work now in _Scotland_ is only delusion, and by the agency of
the devil. O, my dear brother, to what great lengths in bigotry and
prejudice may good men run? Blessed be GOD, I can see the differences
between GOD’s children, and yet love them from my heart. What you said
about poor _Wales_, affected me. I laid upon my face this day, and for
some time pleaded with groans unutterable, for direction in that, and
several other matters of great consequence. I fear my dear brother
thinks too highly of me. Indeed, I feel myself to be a poor sinner,
and yet I am rich in CHRIST, and lean upon his bosom from morning to
night; nay, all the night long. By his grace alone I am what I am;
and if he is pleased to honour me so far, I should be glad to help the
brethren in _Wales_. I am sorry to hear there has been such divisions.
But dividing times generally precede settling times. Upon the receipt
of your last, I wrote to Mr. _O――――_. Last night I received his
answer. He speaks very honourably of you, but thinks that you are too
censorious, in condemning a whole society for the faults of but some,
and too bigotted also to your own way. My dear brother will excuse
this. I would not deal so freely, or take such liberty, did I not
believe you would take it kindly. My brother, my soul loves you.
Dear Miss _Nancy_ wrote me word you was at my house, (I rejoiced) and
that you prayed heartily for unworthy me. The LORD reward, and fill
you with all joy and peace in believing! Our LORD is sovereign in
his dealing with his dear children. I walk in much liberty. O free
grace! Your being so exercised with inward conflicts, helps you to
search hypocrites. But glory be to our heavenly Father, there is a
glorious rest awaits us, and all the children of GOD. I think I feel
a foretaste of it now; nay, I believe I feel the thing itself in a
degree, and when I speak of it, I speak what I know. O infinitely
condescending GOD! My brother, my heart is full. The LORD JESUS bless
you, and fill your dear soul with all his fulness! So prays, with his
whole heart,
Your most affectionate though most unworthy brother,
and willing servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._